The Astros are currently 3.5 games ahead of the Seattle Mariners for the lead of the AL West, and five games ahead of tonight’s opponent, the Texas Rangers. Needless to say, a Ranger sweep would make this an even tighter race for the West crown, whereas a Houston sweep would end the Rangers’ hopes for all practical purposes.
For that to happen, the Astros are going to need a strong performance from one of their earlier-season quad-A emergency starters, Colton Gordon, with Spencer Arrighetti again on the shelf. And the bats have to wake up. Talkin to you, Jose, Christian, and Yainer.
Here is tonight’s Astros lineup.
